Joint answer given by High Representative/Vice-President Ashton on behalf of the CommissionWritten questions : E-006018/12 , E-006020/12

The EU INTCEN produces all source intelligence assessments. Annually, the EU INTCEN produces around 200 strategic situation assessment and around 50 special reports and briefings.

Recipients of EU INTCEN's intelligence assessments vary, depending on the topic or country concerned. The HR/VP is the primary client, but products are also provided to EEAS senior management, Commission, and EU Member States (PSC). The need-to-know principle applies, as well as the proper security clearance.

EU INTCEN products are either marked ‘Limited’ or classified up to the level SECRET UE/EU SECRET, depending on whether and at what level the input is marked or classified..

The EU INTCEN serves as the EEAS' intelligence hub, its main product being the all source intelligence assessment. Occasionally, the EU INTCEN also provides specific presentations or briefings.

All European Union Member State's Intelligence and Security Services are requested to provide input to the EU INTCEN. Contributions depend on the availability of intelligence in the Member States' Services and the willingness to share them with the EU INTCEN. Intelligence up to TRES SECRET UE/EU TOP SECRET can be securely handled and processed within EU INTCEN premises.

The EU INTCEN receives inputs for its assessments from all relevant departments within the Council, Commission and the EEAS including EU Delegations.

The EU INTCEN is part of the Single Intelligence Analysis Capacity (SIAC), which combines civilian intelligence (EU INTCEN) and military intelligence (EUMS INT DIR). In the framework of the SIAC, both civilian and military contributions are used in the all source intelligence assessments.